CUHSD in the News: Bay Area continuation high schools named among best for at-risk students

 

Thirty-five schools were recently named as Model Continuation High Schools in California for the year, due to their excellence in operating innovative academic programs that help prepare at-risk students for 21st century careers and college, state schools superintendent Tom Torlakson said this week.

In the East Bay, seven schools won the distinction this year: Black Diamond High School in Pittsburg; Core Learning Academy at Conley-Caraballo High School in Hayward; Del Valle Continuation High School in Livermore; Liberty High School in Benicia; Robertson Continuation High School in Fremont; Vicente Martinez High School in Martinez and Village High School in Pleasanton.
 
In the South Bay, two schools were awarded: Boynton High School and Broadway High School, both in San Jose. And Boynton was singled out for a vigorous restorative justice program that resulted in a 95 percent student attendance rate.

In Marin County, Marin Oaks High School in Novato was also honored.

“The positive and nurturing climate these schools have created inspires students to do well in their academic work and also to contribute to their communities,” Torlakson said in a statement.

More than 55,000 students attended the state’s 452 continuation high schools during the 2015-16 school year. And through a competitive application process, a peer review panel and on-site visits, the program each year selects some of the state’s best continuation high schools, which serve at-risk students from ages 16 to 18, state officials said. The state commends them for the comprehensive services they provide at-risk youth through instructional strategies, flexible scheduling, guidance, and counseling. The schools will retain the honorary designation for three years.